CVE-2026-16869

Local code execution via unsanitized environment variables

Published Aug 19, 2026 · Updated Aug 20, 2026

Untrusted search paths in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allow local users to execute arbitrary code via environment variables. IBM identifies improperly scrubbed environment variables as the cause but does not disclose the affected utility, variable, or privileged execution path. A low-privileged local account is required; IBM does not specify the security context of the resulting code execution.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Untrusted search paths in IBM AIX 7.2 and 7.3 and PowerVM VIOS 4.1 allow local users to execute arbitrary code via environment variables. IBM identifies improperly scrubbed environment variables as the cause but does not disclose the affected utility, variable, or privileged execution path. A low-privileged local account is required; IBM does not specify the security context of the resulting code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-16869
Published
Aug 19, 2026
Updated
Aug 20, 2026
Vendor
IBM
Product
AIX
Classifications
CWE-426
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 19, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 20, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=7.2
  2. Affected versionversion=7.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · AIXversion=7.2; version=7.3
IBM · PowerVM Virtual I/O Serverversion=4.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8IBMCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-426Untrusted Search Path

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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